Ponce invests in infrastructure and local business revitalization

The municipality of Ponce is implementing several infrastructure and economic revitalization projects. Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez has invested over $515,000 to repurpose unused public structures into operational centers. This includes the establishment of the Oficina Mano Amiga Ponceña (OMAP) at the City Hall to assist vulnerable citizens and those at risk of homelessness. Additionally, the former Antonio Paoli School has been converted into the new headquarters for the Office of Ornato, a project costing $450,000 that included the purchase of new equipment and a tractor.

In a separate development, the La Guancha Food Park has been launched as part of a $2 million project funded by ARPA funds. The park features 16 commercial wagons designed to relocate vendors displaced by Hurricane María and recent earthquakes. As part of the initiative, the municipality is providing two years of rent-free operations to help small businesses recover. The project also includes a new stage named after the iconic orchestra La Sonora Ponceña, an artisan pavilion, and sports facilities for beach tennis and volleyball.